Dreams remain fuel of every nation over the world as the diversity put hold on us whatever our race, religion, culture, language and history. It has the mankind to create and embody the empowerment of ideals, principles in life, importance of educat...
"Maria Clara at Ibarra" is a phenomenal one this year 2022, a period drama based on Dr. Jose Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" that airs on GMA Network. The show continues to be about the Noli me Tangere while incorporating new elements, but this time as seen and experienced by a person who has been thrust into the world of Noli in the eyes of Klay Infantes (Barbie Forteza). The program has reignited interest in Philippine history and given viewers a great opportunity to learn more about Manila's legacy and history.
With the fourth installment of A Glimpse into the Past of Old Manila, this part is all about the Guardia Civil Veterana (GCV) or simply called Guardia Civil (GC). Aside from the colonial rulers' most potent symbols like the Spanish friars, the Guardia Civil has undoubtedly been discussed in our textbooks or on television at some point. They resembled the Filipino native police forces used by the Spanish colonial authority in the Philippines. It was created in year 1868 to maintain peace and order in the community. On the other hand, Guardia Civil Veterana was different. They were primarily as a policing force and counter revolutionary force in the capital. Since Klay initially came in Manila, she would have first come into contact with the units of Guardia Civil Veterana. She would have encountered the Guardia Civil forces in San Diego if she had moved there.
In 1872, 1887, and 1892, the Guardia Civil's uniform underwent more alterations. While "Maria Clara at Ibarra" on television takes place in 1884, the Noli takes place in the 1870s. Minor modifications were made to the GC Uniform during that time compared to what was worn in the historical drama. But among contemporary TV shows, "Maria Clara at Ibarra" offers one of the most authentic representations of the GC outfit. GMA Network got it right!
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Guardia Civil Veterana's uniform from 1870s-1898, (Retrieved from Filipiana)
With their glancing uniform, units of Guardia Civil has some nature of police brutality throughout the Philippine archipelago. Such abuses and discrimination happened also in other Spanish colonies. But did you know that Rizal tasted the first police brutality? When he was a medical student of UST, Rizal passed a patrolling Guardia Civil but failed to notice them.. He did not bow, salute, or acknowledge the Spanish civil guard that passed by his side. It was evening time when he was alone and strolling down a dark street. Rizal was brutally lashed in the back by the Guardia Civil at close range using a stingray tail (buntot pagi). He endured the pain from the injuries sustained to his back for two weeks before it fully healed. Such cruel treatment was unacceptable to him.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Guardia Civils in Intramuros, (Retrieved from Pinterest)
But for the modern era Klay Infantes would not have been unfamiliar with reports of police abuse. Nevertheless, experiencing it firsthand during the Spanish era would have had a profound impact. This was the one factor that resulted for Indios to disgust the Guardia Civil. In his book, Rizal made it quite evident how greatly Filipinos loathed the Guardia Civil, who were also Filipinos. It was also his bad experience with them. The passage from the book that is partially cited above perfectly expresses Sisa's horror when she first noticed the GC probing around her hut. The story of the Noli and "Maria Clara at Ibarra" will continue to unfold with further instances of police abuses and brutality to the Filipinos especially Indios.
When Spanish control of the Philippines ended against American forces in 1898, the GC was eventually dissolved. Many of them enlisted in the Philippine Republican Army and the also to the revolution. Eventually, some would join the Philippine Constabulary (PC), which the Americans set up in 1901.
---
Follow me for more stories and history: amanwhodreams
